Watercraft mooring system

Abstract

A watercraft mooring system comprising a plurality of interchangeable mooring members for the temporary mooring of one watercraft to another watercraft or one watercraft to a stationary object such as a dock. The interchangeable mooring members comprising connecting rod member embodiments with adjustable lengths and connecting rod members without adjustable lengths, vacuum-handle member embodiments that provide an initial vacuum and a continuous vacuum to one or more vacuum cup assemblies, and a cleat connector member embodiment that is interchangeable with a vacuum-handle member. Embodiments of vacuum-handle member providing up to three points of omni-directional pivot functionality between the present invention and a temporarily moored watercraft.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A watercraft mooring system comprising:
 a vacuum-handle member designed and adapted for pivotal detachable attachment to a watercraft, said vacuum-handle member comprising
 a handle mount, and 
 a vacuum assembly operatively associated with the handle mount, said vacuum assembly comprising
 an initial vacuum means for providing an initial vacuum to said vacuum-handle member when detachably attaching said vacuum-handle member to said watercraft, said initial vacuum means comprising a thumb plunger vacuum assembly incorporated into said handle mount; 
 a motion actuated vacuum means for providing a continuous vacuum to said vacuum-handle member to maintain the vacuum-handle member's detachable attachment to said watercraft, said motion actuated vacuum means comprising a spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly pivotally secured to said handle mount, said spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly including a piston connecting rod extending outwardly from said handle mount; 
 a vacuum release means for releasing said continuous vacuum from said vacuum-handle member to detach said vacuum-handle member from said watercraft, said vacuum release being incorporated into and operatively associated with said thumb plunger vacuum assembly; 
 a vacuum indicator means for visually displaying a relative vacuum pressure within said vacuum assembly, said vacuum indicator means being incorporated into and operatively associated with said thumb plunger vacuum assembly; 
 at least one vacuum cup assembly operatively engaged to the handle mount and being designed and adapted for detachable attachment to said watercraft; 
 an air exhaust-outlet port designed and adapted to permit the passage of air into or out of the vacuum assembly; and 
 a plurality of vacuum channels defined by said handle mount and operatively connecting said thumb plunger vacuum assembly, said spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly, said vacuum release means, said at least one first cup assembly, and said air exhaust-outlet port; and 
 
 
 a connecting rod member being designed and adapted for detachable attachment of said vacuum-handle member, said connecting rod member comprising a rotational extension means for providing an adjustable length to said connecting rod member, said connecting rod member comprising
 an outer tubular member comprising
 an outer tubular member first end defining a female threaded tubular socket extending longitudinally within said outer tubular member, and 
 an outer tubular member second end defining a second connecting socket designed and adapted to detachably attach and engage said piston connecting rod of said spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly; 
 
 an inner tubular member defining an extension limiting rod channel extending longitudinally within and through said inner tubular member, said inner tubular member comprising
 external helical threads being longitudinally aligned along said inner tubular member and designed and adapted to rotatably engage said female threaded tubular socket of said outer tubular member, 
 an inner tubular member first end having a cylindrical length having a length and defining a first connecting socket designed and adapted to detachably attach and engage said piston connecting rod of said spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly, said first connecting socket defining an extension limiting rod channel first end, and 
 an inner tubular member second end defining an extension limiting rod channel second end; 
 
 an extension limiting rod designed and adapted to slidably engage said extension limiting rod channel to limit the outward rotation of the inner tubular member from said outer tubular member; and 
 an extension locking collar operatively secured to the outer tubular member first end and being designed and adapted to selectively limit a rotation of said inner tubular member into or out of said outer tubular member. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The watercraft mooring system of  claim 1  further comprising a cleat connecting member for use in lieu of said vacuum-handle member and being designed and adapted for detachable attachment to a watercraft cleat or to a dock cleat, said cleat connector member comprising
 a cleat assembly mount designed and adapted for detachable attachment to the connecting rod member, said cleat assembly mount comprising
 a cleat assembly mount disk having a cleat assembly mount disk top surface and a cleat assembly mount disk bottom surface, and 
 a cleat assembly mount connector rod having a cleat assembly mount connector rod proximate end rotatably secured to said cleat assembly mount disk bottom surface and a cleat assembly mount connector rod distal end being designed and adapted for detachable attachment to the first connecting socket of the inner tubular member of the connecting rod member or the second connecting socket of the outer tubular member of the connecting rod member; and 
 
 a cleat attachment line assembly operatively affixed to said cleat assembly mount, said cleat attachment line assembly comprising
 a cleat attachment line having a cleat attachment line handled first end and a cleat attachment line second end, said cleat attachment line defining an adjustable cleat attachment line loop that operatively engages said watercraft cleat or said dock cleat, 
 a cleat attachment line tension clip operatively attached to said cleat assembly mount disk, and 
 an elongated cleat dampener secured to said cleat assembly mount disk top surface and being designed and adapted to engage said dock cleat or said boat cleat. 
 
 
     
     
       3. The watercraft mooring system of  claim 1 , wherein said connecting rod member having
 a non-adjustable connecting rod member length, 
 a non-adjustable connecting rod member first end defining a non-adjustable connecting rod member first end connecting pin aperture and a non-adjustable connecting rod member first end connecting socket designed and adapted tier detachable attachment of said piston connecting rod of said spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly of said vacuum-handle member or said cleat assembly mount connector rod of said cleat connecting member, and 
 a non-adjustable connecting rod member second end defining a non-adjustable connecting rod member second end connecting pin aperture and a non-adjustable connecting rod member second end connecting socket designed and adapted for detachable attachment of said piston connecting rod of said spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly of said vacuum-handle member or said cleat assembly mount connector rod of said cleat connecting member. 
 
     
     
       4. The watercraft mooring system of  claim 3 , wherein said non-adjustable connecting rod member length being at least 12 inches. 
     
     
       5. A watercraft mooring system comprising:
 a vacuum-handle member designed and adapted for pivotal detachable attachment to a watercraft, said vacuum-handle member comprising
 a handle mount comprising a handle mount inner surface and a handle mount outer surface, said handle mount defining a lower handle grip and an upper handle grip, and 
 a vacuum assembly operatively associated with the handle mount, said vacuum assembly comprising
 an initial vacuum means for providing an initial vacuum to said vacuum-handle member when detachably attaching said vacuum-handle member to said watercraft respectively, said initial vacuum means comprising a thumb plunger vacuum assembly incorporated into said upper handle grip; 
 a motion actuated vacuum means for providing a continuous vacuum to said vacuum-handle member to maintain the vacuum-handle member's detachable attachment to said watercraft, said motion actuated vacuum means comprising a spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly pivotally secured to said handle mount, said spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly comprising
 a spherical housing defining a vacuum piston portal and an inner cavity, said inner cavity comprising a vacuum chamber, 
 a vacuum piston designed and adapted to operatively engage said spherical housing and said vacuum chamber to produce said continuous vacuum, said vacuum piston comprising a piston head and a piston connecting rod having a piston connecting rod distal end defining a piston connecting rod connecting pin aperture, said piston connecting rod designed and adapted to extend through said vacuum piston portal and outwardly away from said handle mount inner surface of said handle mount, and 
 a dampening collar designed and adapted to pivotally secure said spherical housing and said vacuum piston to said-handle mount; 
 
 a vacuum release means for releasing said continuous vacuum from said vacuum-handle member to detach said vacuum-handle member from said watercraft, said vacuum release means being incorporated into said thumb plunger vacuum assembly and comprising a plurality of pressure release notches defined by a plunger head-cap of said thumb plunger vacuum assembly; 
 a vacuum indicator means for visually displaying a relative vacuum pressure within said vacuum assembly, said vacuum indicator means being operatively associated with said thumb plunger vacuum assembly and comprising a vacuum visual indicia situate on said plunger head-cap of said thumb plunger assembly; 
 a first vacuum cup assembly pivotally engaged to the handle mount outer surface of said handle mount via a first vacuum cup ball joint socket defined by said handle mount, said first vacuum cup assembly comprising a first vacuum cup defining a first vacuum cup vacuum port and being operatively secured to a first vacuum cup ball joint mount, said first vacuum cup ball joint mount operatively and pivotally secured to said handle mount outer surface via said first vacuum cup ball joint socket; 
 a second vacuum cup assembly pivotally engaged to the handle mount outer surface of said handle mount via a second vacuum cup ball joint socket defined by said handle mount, said second vacuum cup assembly comprising a second vacuum cup defining a second vacuum cup vacuum port and being operatively secured to a second vacuum cup ball joint mount, said second vacuum cup ball joint mount operatively and pivotally secured to said handle mount outer surface via said second vacuum cup ball joint socket; 
 an air exhaust-outlet port designed and adapted to permit the passage of air into or out of the vacuum assembly; and 
 a plurality of vacuum channels defined by said handle mount and operatively connecting said thumb plunger vacuum assembly, said spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly, said vacuum release means, said first vacuum cup assembly, said second vacuum cup assembly, and said air exhaust-outlet port; 
 
 
 a connecting rod member being designed and adapted for detachable attachment of said vacuum handle member and having connecting rod member first and second ends and a rotational extension means for providing an adjustable length to said connecting rod member, said connecting rod member further comprising
 an outer tubular member having
 an outer tubular member first end defining a female threaded tubular socket extending longitudinally within said outer tubular member, and 
 an outer tubular member second end defining a second connecting socket connecting pin aperture and a second connecting socket designed and adapted to detachably attach and engage said piston connecting rod distal end of the piston connecting rod of said spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly of said vacuum-handle member, said second connecting socket defining an extension limiting rod retaining aperture extending longitudinally inward from said second connecting socket to said female threaded tubular socket; 
 
 an inner tubular member having
 external helical threads being longitudinally aligned along said inner tubular member and designed and adapted to rotatably engage said female threaded tubular socket of said outer tubular member, 
 an inner tubular member first end having a cylindrical length having a length and defining a first connecting socket connecting pin aperture and a first connecting socket designed and adapted to detachably attach and engage said piston connecting rod distal end of the piston connecting rod of said spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly of said vacuum-handle member, said first connecting socket defining an extension limiting rod channel first end, 
 an inner tubular member second end defining an extension limiting rod channel second end, and 
 an extension limiting rod channel extending longitudinally within and through said inner tubular member from said extension limiting rod channel first end to said extension limiting rod channel second end, said extension limiting rod channel comprising a first bore having a first bore diameter and a second bore having a second bore diameter being smaller than said first bore diameter; 
 
 an extension limiting rod designed and adapted to slidably engage said extension limiting rod channel to limit the outward rotation of the inner tubular member from said outer tubular member, said extension limiting rod comprising an extension limiting rod distal end and an extension limiting rod proximate end having an extension limiting rod disk-head being affixed thereto,
 wherein said extension limiting rod disk-head is designed and adapted to engage said second bore of said extension limiting rod channel and said extension limiting rod distal end being designed and, adapted to operatively engage said extension limiting rod retaining aperture,
 thereby limiting the outward rotation of the inner tubular member from said outer tubular member; and 
 
 
 an extension locking collar operatively secured to the outer tubular member first end and being designed and adapted to selectively limit a rotation of said inner tubular member into or out of said outer tubular member. 
 
 
     
     
       6. The watercraft mooring system of  claim 5  further comprising a cleat connecting member for use in lieu of said vacuum-handle member and being designed and adapted for detachable attachment to a watercraft cleat or to a dock cleat, said cleat connector member comprising
 a cleat assembly mount designed and adapted for detachable attachment to the connecting rod member, said cleat assembly mount comprising
 a cleat assembly mount disk having a cleat assembly mount disk top surface and a cleat assembly mount disk bottom surface, and 
 a cleat assembly mount connector rod having a cleat assembly mount connector rod proximate end rotatably secured to said cleat assembly mount disk bottom surface and a cleat assembly mount connector rod distal end being designed and adapted for detachable attachment to the first connecting socket of the inner tubular member of the connecting rod member or the second connecting socket of the outer tubular member of the connecting rod member; and 
 
 a cleat attachment line assembly operatively affixed to said cleat assembly mount, said cleat attachment line assembly comprising
 a cleat attachment line having a cleat attachment line handled first end and a cleat attachment line second end; said cleat attachment line defining an adjustable cleat attachment line loop that operatively engages said watercraft cleat or said dock cleat, 
 a cleat attachment line tension clip operatively attached to said cleat assembly mount disk, and 
 an elongated cleat dampener secured to said cleat assembly mount disk top surface and being designed and adapted to engage said dock cleat or said boat cleat. 
 
 
     
     
       7. The watercraft mooring system of  claim 5 , wherein said connecting rod member comprising
 a non-adjustable connecting rod member length, 
 a non-adjustable connecting rod member first end defining a non-adjustable connecting rod member first end connecting pin aperture and a non-adjustable connecting rod member first end connecting socket designed and adapted for detachable attachment of said piston connecting rod of said spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly of said vacuum-handle member or said cleat assembly mount connector rod of said cleat connecting member, and 
 a non-adjustable connecting rod member second end defining a non-adjustable connecting rod member second end connecting pin aperture and a non-adjustable connecting rod member second end connecting socket designed and adapted for detachable attachment of said piston connecting rod of said spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly of said vacuum-handle member or said cleat assembly mount connector rod of said cleat connecting member. 
 
     
     
       8. The watercraft mooring system of  claim 7 , wherein said non-adjustable connecting rod member length being at least 12 inches. 
     
     
       9. The watercraft mooring system of  claim 5  wherein, said vacuum-handle member including a separation distance for optimal functionality of said vacuum-handle member, said separation distance being 1.5 inches between said vacuum cup of said first vacuum cup assembly and said vacuum cup of said second vacuum cup assembly when said vacuum cups are under a full vacuum. 
     
     
       10. A watercraft mooring system comprising:
 a vacuum-handle member designed and adapted for pivotal detachable attachment to a watercraft, said vacuum-handle member comprising
 a handle mount having a handle mount inner surface and a handle mount outer surface, said handle mount defining a handle mount vacuum channel-port and having a columnar shape designed and adapted to be grasped by a user when attaching or removing said vacuum-handle member from said watercraft, and 
 a vacuum assembly operatively associated with the handle mount, said vacuum assembly comprising
 an initial vacuum means for providing an initial vacuum to said vacuum-handle member when detachably attaching said vacuum-handle member to said watercraft, said initial vacuum means comprising a thumb plunger vacuum assembly: 
 a motion actuated vacuum means for providing a continuous vacuum to said vacuum-handle member to maintain the vacuum-handle member's detachable attachment to said watercraft, said motion actuated vacuum means comprising a spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly pivotally secured to a handle mount inner surface spherical socket and extending outwardly from said handle mount inner surface, said spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly comprising,
 a spherical housing defining a vacuum piston portal and an inner cavity, said inner cavity comprising a vacuum chamber, 
 a vacuum piston designed and adapted to operatively engage said spherical housing and said vacuum chamber to produce said continuous vacuum, said vacuum piston comprising a piston head and a piston connecting rod having a piston connecting rod distal end defining a piston connecting rod connecting pin aperture, said piston connecting rod designed and adapted to extend through said vacuum piston portal and outwardly away from said handle mount inner surface of said handle mount, and 
 a dampening collar designed and adapted to pivotally secure said spherical housing and said vacuum piston to said-handle mount inner surface; 
 
 a vacuum release means for releasing said continuous vacuum from said vacuum system to detach said vacuum-handle member from said watercraft, said vacuum release means being incorporated into and operatively associated with said thumb plunger vacuum assembly and comprising a plurality of pressure release notches defined by a plunger head-cap of said thumb plunger vacuum assembly; 
 a vacuum indicator means for visually displaying a relative vacuum pressure within said vacuum assembly, said vacuum indicator means being operatively associated with said thumb plunger vacuum assembly and comprising a vacuum visual indicia situate on said plunger head-cap of said thumb plunger assembly; 
 a vacuum cup assembly secured and operatively engaged to the handle mount outer surface, said vacuum cup assembly comprising
 a vacuum cup mounting disk having 
  a mounting disk inner surface, 
  a mounting disk outer surface, 
  a mounting disk cylindrical socket defined by said vacuum cup mounting disk and extending outward from said mounting disk inner surface, said mounting disk cylindrical socket designed and adapted to operatively house said thumb-plunger assembly, and 
  a mounting disk vacuum channel-port defined by said vacuum cup mounting disk, and 
 a vacuum cup operatively secured to said mounting disk outer surface and defining a vacuum cup vacuum port designed and adapted to operatively engage said mounting disk vacuum channel-port; 
 
 an air exhaust outlet port designed and adapted to permit the passage of air out of the vacuum assembly; and 
 a plurality of vacuum channels defined by said handle mount and operatively connecting said thumb plunger vacuum assembly, said spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly, said vacuum release means, said vacuum cup assembly, and said air exhaust outlet port; 
 
 
 a connecting rod member being designed and adapted for detachable attachment of said vacuum handle member and having connecting rod member first and second ends, and a rotational extension means for providing an adjustable length to said connecting rod member, said connecting rod member further comprising
 an outer tubular member having
 an outer tubular member first end defining a female threaded tubular socket extending longitudinally within said outer tubular member, and 
 an outer tubular member second end defining a second connecting socket connecting pin aperture and a second connecting socket designed and adapted to detachably attach and engage said piston connecting rod distal end of the piston connecting rod of said spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly of said vacuum-handle member, said second connecting socket defining an extension limiting rod retaining aperture extending longitudinally inward from said second connecting socket to said female threaded tubular socket; 
 
 an inner tubular member having
 external helical threads being longitudinally aligned along said inner tubular member and designed and adapted to rotatably engage said female threaded tubular socket of said outer tubular member, 
 an inner tubular member first end having a cylindrical length having a length and defining a first connecting socket connecting pin aperture and a first connecting socket designed and adapted to detachably attach and engage said piston connecting rod distal end of the piston connecting rod of said vacuum-handle member, said first connecting socket defining an extension limiting rod channel first end, 
 an inner tubular member second end defining an extension limiting rod channel second end, and 
 an extension limiting rod channel extending longitudinally within and through said inner tubular member from said extension limiting rod channel first end to said extension limiting rod channel second end, said extension limiting rod channel comprising a first bore having a first bore diameter and a second bore having a second bore diameter being smaller than said first bore diameter; 
 
 an extension limiting rod designed and adapted to slidably engage said extension limiting rod channel to limit the outward rotation of the inner tubular member from said outer tubular member, said extension limiting rod comprising an extension limiting rod distal end and an extension limiting rod proximate end having an extension limiting rod disk-head being affixed thereto,
 wherein said extension limiting rod disk-head designed and adapted to engage said second bore of said extension limiting rod channel and said extension limiting rod distal end being designed and adapted to operatively engage said extension, limiting rod retaining aperture,
 thereby limiting the outward rotation of the inner tubular member from said outer tubular member; and 
 
 
 an extension locking collar operatively secured to the outer tubular member first end and being designed and adapted to selectively limit a rotation of said inner tubular member into or out of said outer tubular member. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The watercraft mooring system of  claim 10  further comprising a cleat connecting member for use in lieu of said vacuum-handle member and being designed and adapted for detachable attachment to a watercraft cleat or to a dock cleat, said cleat connector member comprising
 a cleat assembly mount designed and adapted for detachable attachment to the connecting rod member, said cleat assembly mount comprising
 a cleat assembly mount disk having a cleat assembly mount disk top surface and a cleat assembly mount disk bottom surface, and 
 a cleat assembly mount connector rod having a cleat assembly mount connector rod proximate end rotatably secured to said cleat assembly mount disk bottom surface and a cleat assembly mount connector rod distal end being designed and adapted for detachable attachment to the first connecting socket of the inner tubular member of the connecting rod member or the second connecting socket of the outer tubular member of the connecting rod member; and 
 
 a cleat attachment line assembly operatively affixed to said cleat assembly mount, said cleat attachment line assembly comprising
 a cleat attachment line having a cleat attachment line handled first end and a cleat attachment line second end, said cleat attachment line defining an adjustable cleat attachment line loop that operatively engages said watercraft cleat or said dock cleat, 
 a cleat attachment line tension clip operatively attached to said cleat assembly mount disk, and 
 an elongated cleat dampener secured to said cleat assembly mount disk top surface and being designed and adapted to engage said dock cleat or said boat cleat. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The watercraft mooring system of  claim 10 , wherein said connecting rod member having
 a non-adjustable connecting rod member length, 
 a non-adjustable connecting rod member first end defining a non-adjustable connecting rod member first end connecting pin aperture and a non-adjustable connecting rod member first end connecting socket designed and adapted for detachable attachment of said piston connecting rod of said spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly of said vacuum-handle member or said cleat assembly mount connector rod of said cleat connecting member, and 
 a non-adjustable connecting rod member second end defining a non-adjustable connecting rod member second end connecting pin aperture and a non-adjustable connecting rod member second end connecting socket designed and adapted for detachable attachment of said piston connecting rod of said spherical joint continuous vacuum assembly of said vacuum-handle member or said cleat assembly mount connector rod of said cleat connecting member. 
 
     
     
       13. The watercraft mooring system of  claim 12 , wherein said non-adjustable connecting rod member length being at least 12 inches. 
     
     
       14. The watercraft mooring system of  claim 10  wherein, said vacuum-handle member including a separation distance for optimal functionality of said vacuum-handle member, said separation distance being 1.5 inches between said vacuum cup of said first vacuum cup assembly and said vacuum cup of said second vacuum cup assembly when said vacuum cups are under a full vacuum.